07.01.13
The Drug Controller General of India, Dr GN Singh, on behalf of the Bureau of Indian Standards, made a historic announcement a couple of days ago - animal testing has been removed from India's cosmetic standard.
India has become the first country in South Asia to end tetsing on animals. The use of modern non-animal alternative tests has become mandatory, replacing invasive animal tests.
The 27 countries in the European Union and Israel have recently made similar announcements. The EU ban was passed in March, 2013.
Under the new standard, any cosmetic products or ingredients that carry out animal testing will face action as per provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Animal Cruelty Act.
A sales ban might also take effect - preventing companies from outsourcing testing to third countries and importing animal-tested beauty products back into India for sale.
Animal welfare groups promoting the cruelty-free cause had been petitioning for this decision in India. These groups include the Humane Society International (HSI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and People For Animals (PFA), as well as local group PETA India.
Campaigners were supported by top leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who recently urged the ministries of health and family welfare to consider PETA India's request for the ban.
As of now, there are over 1,200 companies around the world supporting the ban on all animal tests.
India has become the first country in South Asia to end tetsing on animals. The use of modern non-animal alternative tests has become mandatory, replacing invasive animal tests.
The 27 countries in the European Union and Israel have recently made similar announcements. The EU ban was passed in March, 2013.
Under the new standard, any cosmetic products or ingredients that carry out animal testing will face action as per provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Animal Cruelty Act.
A sales ban might also take effect - preventing companies from outsourcing testing to third countries and importing animal-tested beauty products back into India for sale.
Animal welfare groups promoting the cruelty-free cause had been petitioning for this decision in India. These groups include the Humane Society International (HSI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and People For Animals (PFA), as well as local group PETA India.
Campaigners were supported by top leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who recently urged the ministries of health and family welfare to consider PETA India's request for the ban.
As of now, there are over 1,200 companies around the world supporting the ban on all animal tests.
